What Does a Real-Time Captioner Do?
Real-time captioners write every spoken word on a stenotype machine as it is said, while software turns their keystrokes into on-screen text for deaf and hard of hearing viewers. They caption classes, court hearings, meetings and live events, in person or remotely. The service is known as CART, short for communication access realtime translation.
Also known as: CART Reporter
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR), Court Monitor, Court Recording Monitor, Court Reporter, Court Stenographer, Deposition Reporter, Digital Court Reporter, Official Court Reporter.
Real-Time Captioner Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a real-time captioner include:
- Write spoken words on a stenotype machine in real time during classes, meetings and events.
- Build and update a personal dictionary of names, terms and phrases before each assignment.
- Connect to remote sessions through Zoom, Teams or streaming platforms and display captions to viewers.
- Prepare for technical courses by reviewing slides, readings and syllabi for specialist vocabulary.
- Edit rough transcripts after sessions and deliver clean files to students or clients on deadline.
- Identify speakers and note sounds such as laughter or applause so viewers can follow along.
- Set up laptops, steno machines and caption displays, then test connections before the session starts.
- Keep transcripts confidential and store files according to privacy rules and client agreements.
- Coordinate with disability services staff about schedules, room changes and student accommodations.
- Practice regularly to maintain speed and accuracy, and complete continuing education for certification.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a real-time captioner, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Stenotype writing at captioning speed
- Computer-aided transcription software such as Case CATalyst or Eclipse
- NCRA Certified Realtime Captioner credential
- Excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation
- Research skills for technical vocabulary
- Concentration through long sessions
- Remote captioning platforms and streaming tools
- Discretion with confidential material
Education and Training
Court reporting and captioning programs at community colleges and technical schools teach the stenotype skills, with long hours of practice to build speed. Employers often require certification, such as the Certified Realtime Captioner credential from the National Court Reporters Association. Many states also license court reporters, and some of them move into live captioning later.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $53,760 - $100,780 per year, with a median of $72,420.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners.
BLS projects employment of court reporters and simultaneous captioners to stay essentially flat, changing by less than 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,800 openings a year. Demand often is tied to court budgets and accessibility rules, but captioners always will be needed as more classes, meetings and events move online. Automatic captions now handle some routine events, which makes certified accuracy worth more.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Court reporters and simultaneous captioners.
Real-Time Captioner Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $42,130 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $53,760 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $72,420 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $100,780 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $130,560 |
Highest-Paying States for Real-Time Captioners
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are California ($116,020), Texas ($110,080), Washington ($107,670), New York ($101,990), Iowa ($93,810). Pay is lowest in Florida ($49,240), Maine ($49,110), Delaware ($44,760).
Median pay in all 38 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $67,340 |
| Arizona | $77,770 |
| Arkansas | $59,180 |
| California | $116,020 |
| Colorado | $83,010 |
| Connecticut | $59,390 |
| Delaware | $44,760 |
| Florida | $49,240 |
| Idaho | $69,330 |
| Illinois | $75,890 |
| Indiana | $54,740 |
| Iowa | $93,810 |
| Kentucky | $50,350 |
| Louisiana | $63,380 |
| Maine | $49,110 |
| Maryland | $59,300 |
| Massachusetts | $79,940 |
| Michigan | $61,600 |
| Minnesota | $83,680 |
| Mississippi | $67,300 |
| Missouri | $72,500 |
| Montana | $62,730 |
| Nebraska | $76,480 |
| Nevada | $62,030 |
| New York | $101,990 |
| North Carolina | $73,510 |
| North Dakota | $70,540 |
| Ohio | $67,330 |
| Oklahoma | $60,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,100 |
| Rhode Island | $92,250 |
| South Carolina | $61,100 |
| South Dakota | $75,210 |
| Texas | $110,080 |
| Virginia | $55,210 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| West Virginia | $56,790 |
| Wisconsin | $65,640 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as court reporters and simultaneous captioners about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 100% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 100% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 91% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 84% use their hands on tools, objects or controls for more than half the day
- 79% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 69% work against deadlines every day
- 68% use email every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 75% |
| Associate's degree | 12% |
| High school diploma or GED | 5% |
| Some college | 5% |
Tools and Software Real-Time Captioners Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy organized work with data, records and clear procedures as well as creative work and self-expression.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Active Listening, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Monitoring, Time Management.
Knowledge areas used most: English Language, Administrative, Computers and Electronics, Law and Government, Customer and Personal Service.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 27-3092.00 (Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.